Stored-value card management method and system

ABSTRACT

A computerized system for activating, issuing and otherwise managing transactions and activities pertaining to stored-value cards over a communications network. A central information database is provided for storing stored-value cardholder and card purchaser information received directly from respective stored-value cardholders and card purchasers PCs through a universal central processor via respective communication gateways. The central processor is coupled for communication realtime to multiple unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks normally operated by respective hosts. Each network includes a stored-value card processor coupled to a stored-value card database and multiple respective merchant communication devices. The central processor is programmed for managing the activation and issuance of transactions and activities for the stored-value card through the respective unaffiliated networks. The universal central processor is programmed to issue the stored-value cards directly to the cardholder or card purchaser by download over respective communication gateways. The universal central processor is further programmed for reporting the card activations, issuances, transactions and activities to the cardholders and the merchants thereby providing a universal management system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/994,509, filed Sep. 20, 2007, for STORED-VALUE CARDMANAGEMENT SYSTEM, the contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to stored-value cards used forpurchasing goods and services, and more particularly to a computerizedmethod and system for activating, issuing and otherwise managingtransactions and activities pertaining to stored-value cards over acommunications network.

Examples of stored-value cards are prepaid cards, gift cards, rewardscards and the like. Each stored-value card transaction and activity ismanaged through its respective card processing network. Each suchnetwork typically includes a stored-value card processor coupled to astored-value card database and to multiple respective merchantcommunication interface devices, such as point-of-sale (POS) terminalsor communication gateways, such as an Internet gateway. These respectivestored-value card processing networks are unaffiliated and they areoperated through different stored-value card processor systems operatedby different respective hosts, such as Chase Paymentech™, RBS WorldPay™,Radiant/Aloa™, Future POS™, or any of a number of other stored-valuecard processor hosts.

There exists a large number of patent applications and patentspertaining to how these respective stored-value card processing networksshould process activities and transactions. An example of one suchnetwork is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,083,084.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a universalmethod and system for managing these multiple unaffiliated stored-valuecard processing networks.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for managingstored-value cards, such as gift, prepaid and rewards card activity formultiple locations or unaffiliated group entities or networks. Most ofthese transactions and activities are accomplished through realtime datacommunications with these different unaffiliated stored-value cardprocessors through a universal central processor, which enables unlikemake and model credit card terminals and point-of-sale systems to beconsolidated into a universal reporting system for stored-valuecardholder transactions and activities.

The method and system of the present invention activates, issues andotherwise manages transactions and activities pertaining to multiple ormany unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks. As previouslyexplained, each such existing stored-value card processing networkgenerally includes a stored-value card processor connected to astored-value card database and multiple respective merchantcommunication interface devices, such as POS terminals, computers orother communication gateways, for communication by the respectivemerchants with the processors.

The present invention provides universal management of theseunaffiliated systems by providing a universal central processor thatcommunicates with a universal stored-value card cardholder informationdatabase which is managed by this universal central processor. Thisuniversal central processor also communicates with potential or existingstored-value cardholders or holder benefactors (card purchasers), andfurther communicates in realtime (with the exception of reportingtransactions and activities in some instances) with the multiplerespective unaffiliated stored-value processing networks. Accordingly,all activation and issuance of and selected transactions and activitiesfor the stored-value cards are managed by the universal centralprocessor through the unaffiliated networks. The system of the presentinvention utilizes processing and data collection capabilities alreadyexisting in the stored-value processing infrastructure. It does notutilize or rely on a processing hub.

The universal central processor is programmed for activating and issuingstored-value cards through the unaffiliated stored-value cardprocessors, which are owned by different hosts, directly to thecardholders or holder benefactors PC via a communication gateway. Uponactivation of a stored-value card through the universal centralprocessor, the universal central processor issues an authorizationnumber for each respective card and issues the stored-value carddirectly to the cardholder or card purchaser through a communicationgateway or an Internet gateway, the card being downloaded and printed bythe cardholder or card purchaser on a PC. The universal centralprocessor is further programmed for managing stored-value cardtransactions and activities through the different unaffiliatedstored-value card processors and then reports the activations,transactions and activities to the respective merchants and cardholders.Thus a universal system is provided for management of stored-value cardactivation, issuance and management of transactions and activities forunaffiliated host networks, all over a communications network.

The method and system of the present invention permits immediateelectronic sale and issuance of a stored-value card based authorizationnumber from a central universal processing system, the redemption ofwhich is done through credit card terminals, point-of-sale systems orgateways which are used for secure control of funds availability.

Thus, no matter what unaffiliated stored-value card is being issued, theissuance thereof can be universally accomplished over a communicationgateway connection by the universal central processor directly to thecardholder or the card purchaser. The universal central processor linksall stored-value card transactions and activities accomplished throughone of the unaffiliated networks directly to an individual cardholderidentified in the central cardholder information database and all suchcard activations, issuances, transactions and activities are reported bythe universal central processor to the cardholders and the merchants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages appear hereinafter in the followingdescription and claims. The accompanying drawings show, for the purposeof exemplification, without limiting the scope of the present inventionor the appended claims, certain practical embodiments of the presentinvention wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating how existingunaffiliated stored-value card processing networks function or operate;and

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the computerized methodand system of the present invention for universally managing themultiple unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks illustratedin FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Multiple unaffiliated stored-value card processing networks are utilizedas illustrated in FIG. 1 for the management of stored-value cardtransactions and activities for respective different stored-value cardhosts. These separate and unaffiliated networks N1 through Nn areindependently operated and managed by respective host stored-value cardprocessors P1 through Pn, each stored-value card processors P1 throughPn being connected to a respective stored-value card database DB1through DBn. The respective merchants communicate through communicationinterface devices M1 through Mn with the respective processors P1through Pn for respectively handling stored-value card transactions andactivities.

The merchant communication interface devices M1 through Mn might consisttypically of, for example, a point-of-sale (POS) system or terminal or amore sophisticated communication system, such as a communicationgateway, via PCs and handheld computers. A significant number of patentsand patent applications exist regarding to how these networks N1 throughNn process the card activities and transactions and each respectivenetwork N1 through Nn is independently operated by a differentunaffiliated host. For example, processors P1 through Pn are operatedand maintained by different hosts, such as Future POS™, Radiant/Aloha™,Chase Paymentech™ and RBS WorldPay™.

The respective stored-value cards are normally issued to the cardholderby the respective merchant. Typical stored-value cards are gift cards,rewards cards, rebate cards, and other prepaid cards, such as forgasoline, telephone use etc.

These independent unaffiliated networks N1 through Nn, beingindependently operated, actually results in limited capability for allparties concerned, including the cardholder, the card benefactor orpurchaser, the merchant and the host bank.

The stored-value card management system of the present inventionprovides universal management of gift, prepaid, and rewards cardactivity for all of these multiple location or unaffiliated groupentities or networks N1 through Nn. Under the method and system of thepresent invention, realtime data communications of a universal centralprocessor with the stored-value card networks N1 through Nn, unlike makeand model credit card terminals and point-of-sale systems, providesconsolidation into a universal reporting system of cardholder activity.The system also permits immediate electronic sale and issuance of astored-value card-based authorization number and a corresponding cardfrom a universal central processing system. The redemption of the cardsis done through a credit card terminal, point-of-sale system, or otherdevices, such as a telephone or computer, capable of serving as acommunication interface with the universal central processing system, ora gateway to the central processing system.

The method and system of the present invention thus permits the giftcard or other stored-value cards, to be downloaded on a PC by thepurchaser with immediate electronic sale and issuance of a stored-valuecard authorization number from a central universal processing system.The redemption of the issued cards is done through a credit cardterminal, a point-of-sale system or gateway which is used for securecontrol of funds availability.

Referring to FIG. 2, a universal central processor 10 is provided whichoverlooks and oversees the management of the many different unaffiliatednetworks N1 through Nn. Networks N1 through N4 only are illustrated forthe sake of clarity and simplicity. The universal central processor 10is connected to or communicates realtime with a universal stored-valuecardholder information database 11 managed by the universal centralprocessor 10. The universal central processor 10 in turn communicatesrealtime (except for some activity reporting purposes) with potential orexisting stored-value cardholders or holder benefactors or purchasersvia the communication or Internet gateways (PCs) 12 a through 12 d.

Universal central processor 10 is programmed for activating and issuingstored-value cards through the unaffiliated stored-value card processorsP1 through P4 directly to the 12 a cardholders or cardholder benefactorsor purchasers via the communication gateways 12 a through 12 d.Universal central processor 10 is further programmed for managing thestored-value card transactions and activities through the stored-valuecard processors P1 through P4 and for reporting the activations,transactions and activities to respective merchants and cardholdersthrough gateways M1 through M4 and 12 a through 12 d. Accordingly, theuniversal central processor associates all such transactions andactivities directly with an individual cardholder identified in theinformation database 11. Such transactions include transactions, such aspurchases, rewards, redemptions and placement of funds, and suchactivities include information for the cardholder and the merchantpertaining to balances and placement of funds, which activities are notalways reported realtime.

The potential cardholder or card purchaser can log into the universalcentral processor 10 via a communication gateway 12 a through 12 d andregister their card by entering some personal information, such as name,telephone number, address, e-mail address etc. Once registered in theinformation database 11 of the universal central processor 10, withpayment being made and accepted through a credit card, an identificationnumber is issued by the universal central processor 10 and thecardholder or cardholder benefactor can download the stored-value cardon his or her respective gateway communication device 12 a through 12 d.Once the card has been issued, the cardholder may request a cardbalance, add funds to the stored-value card via a credit card or requestother related information from the universal central processor, and therespective merchants and host processors are notified by the universalcentral processor 10 of the activation and issuance of the card viatheir respective communication gateways M1 through M4 and processors P1through P4. The merchants through their respective communicationgateways M1 through M4 can interact with the respective stored-valueprocessors P1 through P4 through the universal central processor 10. Themerchant can also add bonus funds to a card for purchases made.

Accordingly, the system of the present invention can produce amerchant-specific gift card on the Internet that can be printed by thecustomer or e-mailed to the gift recipient. Because the card is, in asense, created by the purchaser, any amount can be placed on the card.In addition, the purchaser can choose a holiday occasion for the giftcard and can add a personal message that is incorporated on or in thecard.

Security for the issued card resides in the fact that it is astored-value card and only the funds or partial funds left on the cardcan be redeemed. The recipient's name and Card Verification Valuednumber may also be placed on the card for future merchant security.

In addition, the system of the present invention can be employed in awide variety of marketing programs. Newsletters, new productannouncements, and seasonal specials can all be sent to customersthrough a mass e-mail system operated by the universal central processor10. Other customer alerts, such as the creation of gift card rewards canalso travel to the customer via this e-mail system. The system also maybe provided with built-in tracking functions to help in marketinganalysis.

The system and method of the present invention permit increase in profitfor the merchant by providing a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week saleslocation over the Internet. Extreme conveniences are provided by beingable to obtain a gift card or other stored-value card by immediatedownload which is ready for immediate use.

1. A computerized method for activating, issuing and otherwise managingtransactions and activities pertaining to stored-value cards over acommunications network, the method comprising: storing in a centralinformation database stored-value cardholder and card purchaserinformation received directly from respective stored-value cardholdersand card purchasers through a central processor via respectivecommunication gateways; coupling said central processor for datacommunications to multiple unaffiliated stored-value card processingnetworks, each network including a stored-value card processor coupledto a stored-value card database, and multiple respective merchantcommunication devices; and managing the activation and issuance of andinterface transactions and activities for the stored-value cards throughsaid unaffiliated networks by said central processor.
 2. Thecomputerized method of claim 1, wherein the issuing of the stored-valuecards is accomplished over a communication gateway connection by saidcentral processor directly to said cardholder or card purchaser.
 3. Thecomputerized method of claim 1, wherein each stored-value cardtransaction and activity accomplished through one of said networks isdirectly associated by said central processor with an individualcardholder identified in said central information database.
 4. Thecomputerized method of claim 1, reporting the card activations,issuances, transactions and activities by said central processor to thecardholders and the merchants.
 5. The computerized method of claim 1,wherein activation includes issuance of an authorization number by saidcentral processor.
 6. A method of universally managing multipleunaffiliated stored-value card processing networks, each networkincluding a stored-value card processor connected to a stored-value carddatabase, and multiple respective merchant communication interfacedevices for communication by respective merchants with said processors,said method comprising: providing a universal central processor andcommunicating said processor with a universal stored-value cardcardholder information database managed by said universal centralprocessor, communicating said universal central processor with potentialor existing stored-value cardholders or holder benefactors throughcommunication gateways, and communicating said universal centralprocessor with said stored-value processing networks; and programmingsaid universal central processor for activating and issuing stored-valuecards through said unaffiliated stored-value card processors directly tosaid cardholders or holder benefactors via said communication gateways,and further programming said universal central processor for managingstored-value card transactions and activities through said stored-valuecard processors and reporting said activations, transactions andactivities to respective merchants and cardholders.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, programming said central processor for associating each of saidtransactions and activities directly with an individual cardholderidentified in said information database.
 8. A computerized system foractivating, issuing and otherwise managing transactions and activitiespertaining to stored-value cards over a communications network, thesystem comprising: a central information database for storingstored-value cardholder and card purchaser information received directlyfrom respective stored-value card holders and card purchasers through acentral processor via respective communication gateways; said centralprocessor coupled for communication to multiple unaffiliatedstored-value card processing networks, each network including astored-value card processor coupled to a stored value card database, andmultiple respective merchant communication devices; said centralprocessor programmed for managing the activation and issuance of andtransactions and activities for the stored-value cards through saidunaffiliated networks.
 9. The computerized system of claim 8, whereinsaid central processor is programmed to issue said stored-value cardsdirectly to said cardholder or card purchaser over said communicationgateways.
 10. The computerized system of claim 8, wherein said centralprocessor is programmed to directly associate each stored-value cardtransaction accomplished through one of said networks with an individualcardholder identified in said central information database.
 11. Thecomputerized system of claim 8, wherein said central processor isprogrammed for reporting the card activations, issuances, transactionsand activities to the cardholders and the merchants.
 12. Thecomputerized system of claim 8, wherein said central processor isprogrammed to issue an authorization number when activating astored-value card.
 13. A system for universal management of multipleunaffiliated stored-value card processing networks, each networkincluding a stored-value card processor connected to a stored-value carddatabase, and multiple respective merchant communication interfacedevices for communication by respective merchants with said processors,said universal management system comprising: a universal centralprocessor communicating with a universal value-card cardholderinformation database managed by said universal central processor, withpotential or existing stored-value cardholders or holder benefactors,and with said stored-value card processing networks; said universalcentral processor programmed for activating and issuing stored-valuecards through said unaffiliated stored-value card processors directly tosaid cardholders or holder benefactors via communication gateways, andmanaging the stored-value card transactions and activities through saidstored-value card processors with universal reporting to respectivemerchants and cardholders.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein saiduniversal central processor is further programmed to link each of saidtransactions and activities with a cardholder in said universalvalue-card cardholder information.
 15. The system of claim 13, saidstored-value cards including gift cards, prepaid cards and reward cards.16. The system of claim 13, wherein said merchant communicationinterface devices include a point-of-sale (POS) terminal or acommunication gateway.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein cardactivation and merchant card transactions are communicated via saidmerchant communication interface devices.